Created: 7 April 2009 · Last edited: 17 October 2026
W-ZERO3 is the name of the Windows Mobile Pocket PCs Sharp manufactured for Japanese operator Willcom. The first W-ZERO3, the WS003SH, was released in Japan in mid-December 2005 and was Japan's first Windows Mobile 5 device and the first to feature a full QWERTY keyboard.
In July 2006, an upgraded version code-name WS004SH was released.
The first and second W-ZERO3 devices have 64 MB of RAM and an Intel XScale Marvell PXA270 processor running at 416 MHz. The only hardware upgrade the WS004SH brought was an increase in ROM.
Both devices have a 3.7 inch VGA (640 x 480 px) display built using Sharp's proprietary ASV (Advanced Super View) LCD technology capable of reproducing 65,536 colours, the same as used in the AQUOS TVs, with unmatched 160° wide viewing angle.
Text input is enabled by a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, backed up by a touchscreen and stylus for pointing and handwriting.
This pocket PC uses the PHS telephone system (only available in Japan) for voice and data connectivity. It is also equipped with Wi-Fi (b) and Infrared.
Storage can be expanded using miniSD cards.
The first of the W-ZERO3s came fully featured with Microsoft Internet Explorer, a special version of Opera, Outlook for email and calendar, Excel, Word, PowerPoint Mobile, Windows Media Player, ActiveSync, an app for handwriting, an image-viewer, XMDF e-book reader, calculator, and two games pre-installed (Solitaire and Bubble Breaker).
Also pre-installed was an English-Japanese and Japanese-English dictionary as well as a Concise version Japanese dictionary and an English Business Letter Encyclopedia.
Specifications
- Display: 3.7 inches, 640 × 480 px — Mobile ASV LCD
- CPU: Intel XScale (PXA270) — 416 MHz
- Rear camera:
- 1.3 MP
- unknown
- Battery: 1600 mAh (removable)
- Operating system: Windows Mobile
- OS version at launch: 5.1.70
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SHARP
W-ZERO3
WS003SH
- Waterproofing: None
- Dustproofing: None
- Operating memory (RAM): 64 MB
- Built-in storage memory: 128 MB
- External storage: miniSD, 1 GB
The WS003SH runs on Windows Mobile CE, version 5.1.70 (Build 14406.1.1.1). During its service lifetime it received three firmware updates, the final version being 1.04a.
The WS003SH weighs 220 grams and measures 70 x 130 x 26 millimetres. It was originally available only in black, with a Champagne Silver variant added in March 2006.
I bought this device from Japan back in 2007 and I must say it was unlike any other. In fact, it is precisely the WS003SH that inspired me to build this website. W-ZERO FTW!
SHARP
W-ZERO3
WS004SH
- Waterproofing: None
- Dustproofing: None
- Operating memory (RAM): 64 MB
- Built-in storage memory: 256 MB
- External storage: miniSD, 1 GB
About half a year after the first W-ZERO3, in July 2006, an upgraded version, the WS004SH, was released, featuring a slightly improved system having 256 MB of ROM (197 MB accessible to the user) – but still just 64 MB of RAM – and Windows CE, version 5.1.195.
Bluetooth connectivity was also added, as well as a pre-installed Opera 8.6.
The WS004SH, too, weighs 220 grams — despite the onboard storage increase from 128 to 256 MB and the addition of a Bluetooth module. It is available in Gun Metallic and Pearl White.